Putin election ‘marred by lack of any real competition’

RUSSIA’S presidential election was marred by a lack of genuine competition, even if the vote itself was generally well-conducted, the OSCE said yesterday.

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe sent 481 international observers to monitor Sunday’s election, which saw Vladimir Putin return to power with more than 76% of the vote.

But opposition and independent monitors reported ballot stuffing and other cases of alleged fraud as the Kremlin pushed for a high turnout to give greater legitimacy to Putin’s historic fourth term.

One election commission worker said about 50 men entered the station where he was working and physically assaulted an observer before stuffing a ballot box.

Putin ran against seven candidates, but his most vocal opponent Alexei Navalny was barred from the ballot for legal reasons and the final outcome was never in doubt.

Congratulations from abroad were largely muted after opponents accused him of rigging the vote and Moscow’s relations with the West worsened.

Putin’s supporters said Western pressure, including Britain’s accusations in a spy row and the Olympic doping ban prompted Russians to close ranks behind their leader.

But employees of state and private companies, as well as students, reported coming under pressure to vote. – AFP